Uniting Church in Australia - Inspired hospitality: our latest community profile + more in National Update 19-25 July

19-25 July 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH Inspired hospitality at Bangalow-Byron Bay This week, we take you to the beautiful lands of the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation on the far north coast of NSW, where you'll find a generous welcome from the spirit-led, big-hearted community of Bangalow-Byron Bay Uniting Church.  As part of the This is my Uniting Church series, read this Q&A with Minister Rev Phil Dokmanovic about how they are striving to build an inclusive, loving, intergenerational community, following the example and teachings of Jesus.  Phil speaks about their growing engagement with families, youth and children and their deep passion for justice. Currently, they are seeking ways to support an increasing number of rough sleepers in their community, including opening the church as a place to sleep during severe wet weather.  The Congregation is keen to follow the leading of the Spirit as they undergo a time of strategic mission planning, seeking to join in with what God is already doing in the community around them. Phil says, "we are energised by offering inspired hospitality and far-reaching generosity at any and every opportunity and responding to the needs of the community around us in word and deed." Does your congregation have a great story to tell? Email us to nominate a Uniting Church community to be a part of this series.  Go to the story ACT2 PROJECT Tonight: Act2 National Forums kick off The first of five public forums being run through the Act2 Project will be held on Zoom tonight, exploring the national voice of the Uniting Church in the public square. These forums will be looking at some key areas of the national life and work of our Church: our national voice in the public square (tonight 19 July, 7:30pm) our international partnerships and ecumenical relationships (25 July, 12:30pm) our multicultural and intercultural identity (3 August, 12:30pm) our national theological culture (TBC: email the Act2 team to express interest) promoting the mission of the Church (5 September, 7:30pm) Resourced by some fantastic speakers, panellists and presenters, across these forums we will be asking: what matters most to us to do nationally and how do we resource it into the future? Register now to come and have your say. All times are in AEST. UNITING FOR THE VOICE "Looking forward with more hope and joy" Next up in our video series, What the Voice Means to Me, Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis shares her hope for the day after the referendum.  We invite you to share your own message of support - either as a video or written message. Tell us what saying Yes to the Voice would mean to you.  EVENTS Join our Q&A webinar with Noel Pearson Join us for this special opportunity to hear from Indigenous leader Noel Pearson. Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis will be in conversation with Noel about his life journey, his passion for Indigenous rights and what he thinks a Voice to Parliament would mean for Australia. Hear also from constitutional lawyer Dr Shireen Morris who has worked alongside Noel on a constitutionally guaranteed Indigenous Voice for many years. All are welcome to join this online webinar. Invite a friend. Register now! EVENTS President's Conference: One week to go In exactly one week, people from across the UCA will gather for the 2023 President's Conference at Redcliffe Uniting Church in Brisbane. The conference will form two communities over four days, one with ministers in a placement who will gather from 26-28 July, then another open to the whole Church from 28-29 July including an optional Friday night gathering and a jam-packed Saturday program. If you're in or around Brisbane, our new one-day Saturday rego could be perfect for you! It's not too late to join us to gather, reflect and refresh. AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH From Melbourne to Bunuba Country Students from Wesley College in Melbourne recently spent three weeks being immersed in life at Yiramalay Studio School on Bunuba Country, about 400km inland from Broome. In this article, originally published by the Port Phillip East Presbytery in Newsbeat, Wesley College Chaplain Bradon French unpacks the trip. Such formative experiences, he reflects, must only be the beginning of a deeper commitment to reconciliation, which awaits us all.  INTERGENERATIONAL Intergenerate is back for 2023 Australia’s most inspiring, engaging and energising intergenerational conference is back again in 2023! Intergenerate is a fantastic opportunity for congregational leaders, ministry agents and those in age-based ministries to learn, interact and grow their intergenerational practice. One-day events will be held in Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney with input from international and local speakers. There's limited space at each venue, so register now! CIRCLES  Yarn for Yes: watch again! Thanks to all those who joined us for the Yarn for Yes webinar hosted by the Assembly Circles, Working for Justice and Walking Together as First and Second Peoples. If you missed out on this fantastic, heart-felt and stirring conversation around the Voice to Parliament, the recorded video is now available to watch. Thanks to our amazing panel, Palawa woman Alison Overeem, Gamillaroi man Ben Moodie and Olkola/Djabaguy woman Sherry Balcombe and host Rev Alex Sangster.

UnitingCare Australia Celebrating 30 years As UnitingCare Australia approaches its 30-year anniversary in September, they had the opportunity to hear reflections from three people deeply connected with their work: Peter Bicknell AM, past National Committee Chair, Lin Hatfield Dodds, former National Director, and Rev Sharon Hollis, President of the Uniting Church in Australia. They captured the day on their Facebook page.  See the post Frontier Services Rebuilding Buchan Frontier Services is calling for volunteers who can assist with the rebuilding of several properties in the Buchan community in the region of East Gippsland, Victoria, which was devastated by the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires. Three years later, recovery is ongoing and help is needed. If you're interested in joining the Outback Links team, email to express interest. More information

Positions Bush Chaplain - Pilbara Patrol Remote Area, WA The Uniting Church in Western Australia seeks a Bush Chaplain for the Pilbara region, offering physical and pastoral support to people living in this remote area. Executive Assistant - Uniting Church South Australia An exciting opportunity for a motivated Executive Assistant to support key leaders in the Synod of South Australia and Uniting College for Leadership and Theology. Upcoming Dates 26-29 July: President’s Conference (Brisbane) 4 August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 24-27 August: Uniting Church National Historical Society National Conference (Darwin) Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for The faithful community at Bangalow-Byron Bay Uniting Church, and for its leaders, as they follow after God's movement into their community and witness to God's love and hospitality for all. The Assembly Standing Committee, meeting this weekend in Sydney. Respectful dialogue, understanding and grace as Australians consider the Voice to Parliament. The people of South Korea impacted by severe flooding and landslides. May they know God's loving presence, especially as rescue and recovery efforts continue.  Djibouti, Somalia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What does a Voice to Parliament mean to you? Email us your message of support!